Disclaimer: This review contains minor spoilers for Dawn of the Black Sun.
Is it possible to go from deep despair to the utmost heights of wisdom? Can one boy make up for all that he’s lost when his back’s against the wall, and his wits are at an end? Can an exile rise above his sentence and accumulate powers that are beyond mortal understanding?
Why do I pose these questions? Well, let’s just say that this is what Dawn of the Black Sun is all about. Written by author Timo Burnham, this is a novella set in a fantastical world that’s inspired by the likes of samurai films, martial arts, and shonen anime. Or at least that’s the impression I get.
Our story begins with Ryu, a fisherman’s son who enjoys the simple life along the southern coast. His family and friends are equally kind and sympathetic, with their mother telling him stories each night concerning the wider world. However Ryu, feeling the unrest that accompanies so many teenagers, wants more out of life. He’s only beginning to learn what it means to be a man. Not only that, but a romance is starting to bloom between him and a local fishing girl named Amira.
Alas! This is not the case for long. A knock at the door, and a local group of bandits are suddenly in control. In the handful of minutes that follow, we see both Amira’s and Ryu’s family taken hostage. What happens next I shall leave unspoken, as it’s equal parts horrifying and tragic. Needless to say our young protagonist is left wanting for revenge, and that's when he stumbles across an old master named Zash in the woods. Zash is a wandering monk - a man who walks in the path of martial arts as well as honing one’s mind through meditation. Both he and Ryu strike a quick alliance; not only for justice against the bandits, but also Ryu’s desire to take up the way of the sword. Defend those who cannot save themselves.
And that’s where I’ll stop with my synopsis. From here, it should be pretty obvious what kind of story this is, not to mention whether it’s for you, in particular, or not. The level of subject matter might be a bit much depending on your preferences, but don’t let that dissuade from what, I believe, is an absolutely stellar read.
First of all, my likes. To put it bluntly, by and large I adored the characters on display here. Zash was a particular favorite of mine, being a jaded master who’s a lot more pragmatic and flawed than your average sensei. He’s doubtful about his place in the world, and despite his incredible level of skill, you can see how his relationship with Ryu impacts him as a person, causing him to grow and improve as a result.
Speaking of which, I also thought Ryu worked incredibly well as a sort of “everyman” character. He’s brash and in many ways untalented, but it’s his determination and willpower that helps him through many of his more difficult challenges.
All in all, the best way I can describe this book is that Dawn of the Black Sun reads much like a captivating manga. The powers and fantasy all feel distinctly anime, and Ryu’s journey isn’t too dissimilar from a lot of shonen protagonists.
The dialogue and prose hit a similar tempo. The language is simple on the surface, but that means the level of polish is also much higher. On the one hand, the basic vocabulary isn’t completely to my taste - I do enjoy a bit of wordplay with my stories, after all - yet on the other hand, this does put the action and drama at center stage. I don’t think I ever found myself getting lost or confused at any of the descriptions.
The narrative keeps a consistent pace throughout, and I was always left wondering what might happen on the next page.
As for criticisms, there aren’t many I can think of. The most notable one that comes to mind, perhaps, has to do with a character I mentioned in passing earlier. Without getting into too many details, this side plot involves an exile who’s been forced to survive on a continent to the west. By and large, we’re following his account of survival after he discovers a mysterious black blade, one that can speak to him telepathically.
Despite some rather obvious connections I can make to anti-heroes like Elric of Melniboné, I enjoyed this sub-plot for what it was. My only point of contention is that it pales in comparison to Ryu and Zash’s story. It can feel a little disjointed as well, at least until later when the two stories start coming together.
It isn’t something I thought was bad, mind you, but it was jarring nonetheless.
It’s also obvious that Dawn of the Black Sun is the first in an ongoing series. I wouldn’t call this a criticism per se, but it’s important to remember that many plot threads are being set up for future books. Indeed, my overall impressions could change depending on how Ryu, Zash, and the Exile are handled later on. But as for the moment, all I can feel is pure optimism for what’s in store for us down the line.
Keep an eye on this one, friends. I feel like the best is yet to come.
Final Rating:
Poor | Disappointing | Competent | Fun Read | Page Turner
You can find Dawn of the Black Sun on Amazon here.
Timo Burnham’s Other Links:
I really enjoyed this one as well. It was also one of the first Indie books I read so it is a bit sentimental to me